Jay Dardenne easing back to work after prostate cancer surgery

Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne was back at his desk on a limited basis Tuesday after Nov. 21 laparoscopic surgery for prostate cancer. Dardenne said he was back in his Capitol Annex offices for the first time Monday for a "couple of hours" and "most of the morning" Tuesday.

Dardenne said he was diagnosed with the slow-growing prostate cancer in July and asked doctors whether the surgery could wait until after the Oct. 22 election. He defeated fellow Republican Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser in that race.

The cancer was discovered during a routine medical checkup, he said.

Dardenne encouraged "all men, no matter how healthy they may feel" to have an annual physical that includes blood test screening for prostate cancer.

The robotic surgery was performed by Dr. Raju Thomas at Tulane University Medical Center in New Orleans. Dr. David Hastings, Dardenne's urologist, said the lieutenant governor is doing well. The cancer "was detected early. ... He is expected to make a full recovery," Hastings said.

Dardenne said he has a checkup Thursday and hopes to get the all clear to return to work full time.

"I hope next week I'll be back in the saddle," he said. "The doctors have told me to do as much as I feel like I can. ... I hope to be back up to speed quickly."